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Core Group Members

Convener: Mike Playdon

Nelson Bainbridge, David Bunney (treasurer), Peter McIntosh, Helena McKinnon,

Jack Thompson (membership & subscriptions)

1 Precisely because it is a network, the Silence & Retreats Network is not an organisation. The core group exists to promote silence and retreats and the deepening of spiritual life throughout the Church. To this end it publishes an introductory leaflet and three times a year the journal Windows, liases with the Synod ‘link persons’ and holds an annual consultation and retreat with them. During the past year it has run a training course at the Windermere Centre for those who lead quiet days and retreats. It is represented on the Doctrine, Prayer and Worship Committee, which continues to provide invaluable financial assistance.

2 Membership of the Network is via subscription to Windows. During the past year it has been encouraging to note the increase in the number of subscriptions, and to improve the somewhat precarious financial situation more subscriptions are welcomed from congregations, theological colleges, and training centres as well as from individuals. We have been delighted this year to welcome Coleg Trefeca to the Network. Around the country, in congregations, Districts and Synods there has been a growing number of retreats, quiet days and training opportunities, many of them in co-operation with our ecumenical partners.

3 Each of the Synods appoints a ‘link person’ to act as an advocate and co-ordinator within the area of the Synod. During the past 12 months we have welcomed Meriel and Ken Chippindale for West Midlands in succession to Mary Buchanan, Julie Hopkins for Wales in succession to Henry Gordon and Jack Dyce for Scotland. We look forward to the new opportunities being presented by the recent union of the Congregational Union of Scotland with the United Reformed Church.

4 After many years as a member of the core group, for some of them as its convener, Henry Gordon is standing down. Keith Green also comes off as he relinquishes his responsibility as editor of Windows. They have both made an outstanding contribution and we are much indebted to them. At the time of writing we still await the appointment of a new editor. While still on personalia the core group expresses its delight that one of its number has served the General Assembly during the past year as Moderator!

5 For the future we are concerned to develop ecumenical co-operation wherever possible. We value enormously our membership of the Retreat Association (which has recently elected the core group’s convener its vice-chairman). We are exploring how we may work more closely with our ecumenical partners in various regions.

6 There is a growing interest in many places in the deepening of spiritual life and the value of retreat opportunities of many kinds. Much of it seems to take place at the margins of the life of the institutional Church, and for some this creates a tension. So one other concern for the future is the relationship between the margins and the centre. We invite all who will to join us in this on-going pilgrimage.